Don't Let These Photos Fool You!

So you're cruising around Pinterest, ignoring everything in life that you actually should be doing and you come across this amazing photo of a beautiful, exotic place and you pin that sucker right to your "Future Vacations" board. A few months go by, you get a plane ticket, pack your bags, head off to said location, and can't find anything remotely like your pinned photo. The locals look at your like you're crazy when you ask for directions, and as you walk away dejected they snicker at your foolishness. That place in your photo...does not exist.

The internet creates all sorts of new issues for this time and age. You cannot take anything you see, or read, at face value. At least a few minutes of research needs to go into everything to verify if it has the least bit of truth. Now mix Photoshop and the internet and there's a real mess. So I urge everyone out there, take two and a half minutes, Google what you're looking at, and see if it's real. I promise, two minutes is adequate.

To save you a few of those minutes, here are some common viral photos that are FAKE:

This is probably the most popular photo I've seen - and who wouldn't want to stay in a castle on a precariously balanced tower of rock? However, the photo is two places merged together and claims to be Dublin, Ireland. The castle is Schloss Lichtenstein in Germany and the island is Khao Phing Kan (nicknamed James Bond Island) in Thailand.

This one actually isn't too bad...this is known as the Ngyen Khag Taktsang Monastery in Bhutan. Not only is that the totally wrong place (this is Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Wulingyuan Scenic Area in China) but the carvings about mid way down aren't there. It's just a plain pillar of rock, amazing in and of itself.

 Purple trees in Scotland? Neither purple, nor Scotland. This photo is actually of Shotover River in New Zealand and the trees are just photoshopped purple.

The moon shaped part of this photo is real - the volcanic crater of Molokini in Hawaii. The star island however has been digitally added. 

If this was real I would definitely sign up to see it. This place claims to be the Forgotten Temple of Lysistrata in Greece. But it's just a combination of the Pantheon in Rome and the Benagil Cave in Portugal.

The tree in the center of this photo is real - in that it was man-made and sits in the middle of Disney World's Animal Kingdom. Recognize the Tree of Life? That's it, photoshopped into the middle of some vegetation claiming to be Africa. I have personally seen this on Pinterest with a caption stating it was in Africa. No. And again. No.

So there you go! See how easy it is for people to make up places? Don't be fooled, do your research! 

32,000 Feet Heist: Thefts on Planes

I'll be honest, the thought of being robbed at 32,000 feet never occurred to me - until I watched CSI last week. Who says television doesn't teach you anything?

Airport theft isn't a problem that should have all of us driving to our next destination, but it happens. And not just at cruising altitude. Absolute Software, a company that provides recovery and tracking of lost electronic devices keeps track of airport thefts. It breaks down like this**:

- 25% Luggage Claim/Storage
- 24% Plane
- 18% Check-in/Security Area
- 18% Other
- 15% Terminal/Boarding Area

Luggage claim seems like an obvious one. With some people not arriving until bags have already started to circulate, I imagine it isn't that difficult to walk away with someone's entire suitcase. Thieves also target people at security. If you have several bins going through, and someone ahead of you holds up the line, your stuff could just be sitting at the other end of the conveyor belt while you haven't even gone through the metal detector.

A would-be thief watches for people who look flustered and confused at security as well. They're more likely to forget something, or not pay attention to their items. A tip for security: put your most valuable items through last to ensure you're standing there waiting for them when they come through x-ray.

What about in-flight? Thieves often buy a seat in the aisle near the back of the plane and use pre-boarding to get on first. Then they watch everyone come on the plane - who has a fancy bag, who stores a laptop case, or a computer bag? They memorize where these items are placed. They might even get up after and put a bag they are carrying next to the bag they want to hit. Then they wait awhile, until everyone is reading/watching tv/sleeping, get up to check their bag, and snag something out of the bag next to it. Who's going to notice? Especially since more often than not, your bag isn't even above your head.

When I think about how easy it would be for someone to steal something out of a bag in a storage bin, it makes me not want to put my things in a storage bin. But sometimes you have to. So to keep your things more secure:
1. Keep valuable items in a smaller bag at your feet
2. Place your bags in the overhead storage bin with the zippers facing in and down, wheels out (yeah, I don't think that's the way they tell you to do it, but it's your stuff in there!)
3. Lock the zippers on your bags if you are storing something valuable (probably don't put the lock on until after security)

I know those are all really obvious things once you think about it, but who thinks about it?! I know I will from now on!

**Thefts are difficult to track as most victims don't even realize an item is missing until they unpack. Even if it is noticed, once passengers are off the plane they're next to impossible to track down.

The World's Ferris Wheel Fascination

The world has a fascination with large, upright wheels that spin us round and round. Ferris Wheels. The first ever being constructed by George Washington Ferris, Jr for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.

Singapore Flyer

You might only think of ferris wheels around fall in America, as they are synonymous with carnivals and fairs in the US. But they are everywhere!

The most famous outside of America might be the London Eye, which opened in 2000. At the time it was the world's tallest wheel, at 443 feet. Now it only  holds the records for tallest in Europe and the Western Hemisphere.

The current world record holder is the Singapore Flyer at 541 feet, completed in 2008. But it won't hold its record much longer. The High Roller in Las Vegas, Nevada is nearly complete and will stand at 550 feet. It should be opening in February of this year.

High Roller, Las Vegas

Oh, but Vegas, don't get too comfy with your title. Two new wheels are in a waiting race to be started and completed. New York has plans for the New York Wheel on Staten Island at 625 feet (not yet started). And the Dubai Eye, once complete, will snag the record at 689 feet.

Dubai Eye Plans

New York Wheel Plans

Turn of Fortune, China

In its own little word of distinction is the Big O in Tokyo, Japan. As of 2006 it was the world's tallest center-less ferris wheel (197 ft). China has  been attempting to overtake the Big O with their own Turn of Fortune since 2009, at 292 ft, but completion has been delayed. Japan keeps the title.

There are lots (and lots) of wheels around the world. And it seems like quite the race to see who can build the tallest. Check out a list of wheels, heights, and records here (scroll down the page a bit).

How the DMV can mess you up with the TSA

My license expired last week. I didn't mind so much that I was driving around with an expired license because I couldn't find time to devote to an 18 hour visit to the DMV, I just knew I had to do it before Christmas Eve when they closed because I needed an updated license to get through security at the airport. At least I figured I did.

I figured correctly. What I did not figure correctly was that laws had not changed since my last license was issued and you no longer walk out of the NC DMV with a little plastic card confirming to everyone your height, age, and that you are who you say you are. Nope. Now you walk out with a piece of paper that serves as a temporary license until your real one arrives in the mail in 10-12 business days.

It actually took awhile for it to sink in that now I had no valid ID for airport security. I was able to retain my old license so I thought, 'eh, maybe this'll work after all.' But a quick Google search and my original figuring was confirmed - an expired ID is no good.

The official statement on the TSA website is "If you lose your primary ID or it has expired, TSA may accept other forms of ID to help verify your identity." Not entirely helpful. The next FAQ is what if an ID is lost during travel. In that case (and I assume in the case that you know exactly where your expired license is) you will need:
- Two forms of ID (social security card, birth certificate, marriage license, credit card, etc.) containing the name of the passenger
- One of the two forms of ID must have one of the following: date of birth, address, gender, or a photo

The website then goes on to say "If TSA can confirm the passenger’s identity, they may enter the secured area, but they could be subject to additional screening." That sentence contains an if, a may, and a could. So vague. There's also a bit about using "publicly available databases." So I don't really know.

Bottom line - be sure you have an up-to-date form of ID. For what counts as an ID, visit here.

Luckily, I remembered I have a passport. First domestic trip with a passport!

A Shutdown Government is Bad for Travel

You may or may not have actually noticed anything different going on in your day-to-day life in America, but you probably do know that our government is "shut down." Well wait, just in case you aren't aware I feel I should put in a brief update, since I may have totally just freaked someone out, ya know?

Those who sit up on Capitol Hill and spend our money actually have to pass laws on how to spend that money. And they can't seem to agree on a spending bill, which really comes down to the inability to agree on whether to provide funding for the Affordable Care Act. So since they can't agree on how to spend the money and what to spend it on, they can't spend it at all. Which means suspending all government jobs (except for the exceptions of 'essential' employees, ie: those involved in national security, postal offices, etc.).

Anyway, this blog isn't a spot for debating which political party is to blame for this shut down or what it means in depth, it's to discuss what it means for travel. Because it actually means pretty big things.

My first bit of travel advice during this shut down would be to not visit Washington DC. For me, DC holds a lot of appeal as a travel destination because once you're there so many activities are free. They're free because they're government funded, which means all of their doors are locked right now. All of the Smithsonian Museums and the Zoo, the National Archives, memorials are fenced in and closed (Lincoln, WWII, Vietnam). Plus, aside from them all being free, aren't they the main attractions? Not the past few days they aren't.

If you are in DC, it's not to say there's nothing to do. There are plenty of other options, just be prepared to pay for some of it. Here's a brief list of things you can do in DC during the shutdown to ensure you still have a fun and memorable vacation. You can also just Google to see what is open and what is closed, or get more out-of-the-box ideas on how to spend your DC time.

Even thought the government lives in DC, it isn't even remotely just DC that is affected by the shutdown. National Parks across the country are shut down, closed to visitors, temporarily out of business. Visitors staying in parks when the shutdown began were given 48 hours to vacate, packing up their camps and RVs and getting out of dodge. So at this point, no one out there is enjoying Yellowstone, Yosemite, or any other American National Park. No one's taking in the grand views of the Grand Canyon, despite the Governor's offer to re-open the park with state money. South Dakota's Governor was also rebuked in an effort to re-open Mount Rushmore.

All told 401 sites throughout the country have been closed - Independence Hall in Philly, the Statue of Liberty, battle fields, historic homes...on and on. Here's a long and full list of the contingency plans for government funded agencies and which of them are open or closed.

What the shut down does not affect is air travel/security or public transportation in cities such as metros. You may or may not be able to get a passport right now if you need one, but chances are not good. You can also enter or leave the country, as customs areas are open.

While we're talking about leaving the country, our government being shut down could also put a cramp in your plans over in Europe. American Military cemeteries overseas are closed, such as the Normandy American Cemetery and 23 other cemeteries. But consulates and embassies are still functioning...for now.

We're all hoping the government shutdown will end soon and that travel life can get back to normal (plus everything else!). But if you are planning to travel check and double check your plans. Make sure what you're wanting to see is open and functioning and then if it's not try and find something else that's fun to do. Good luck!

Ecotourism: Just Another Green Thing?

It's a big thing right now to be green. Upcycling, hybrid cars, solar energy - it's what's hot. It's hot due to global warming. Get it? Ok, enough with the trying to be funny.

The interest in helping the environment and protecting this planet has even reached into the travel circles, with ecotourism. Ecotourism is defined by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." The basic foundations of ecotourism include the minimization of global impact, raising environmental and cultural awareness, and providing financial benefits for conservation while benefiting the tourism site. So the bottom line is that ecotourism should positively affect both the natural area and local community.

Ecotourism is a huge topic with many layers. Especially when you consider that ecotourism is just a small part of a larger movement known as sustainable tourism. So instead of trying to explain what it all means exactly, and giving you a travel and tourism 101 crash course...I'm just going to give you some examples and focus in on a small part of ecotourism; ecolodges.

You can find ecolodges around the world in settings from mountains to the tropics. What they all have in common is their dedication to preserving nature, helping the livelihood of the local community, and offering a fulfilling experience for travelers.

Turtle Inn

There are many things that set an ecolodge apart, starting with their menus. Many ecolodges stand on a vegetarian and/or organic diet. The freshest of foods, possibly grown on the premises, is what travelers can expect to dine upon - including meat and fish. At the Turtle Inn in Belize, fresh seafood is delivered by local fishermen and many lodges produce their own wine.

The lodges themselves can be environmentally and economically friendly. Locals built the roof of the Three Camel Lodge's main building in Mongolia. And they did it without using a single nail. Jicaro Island Ecolodge in Nicaragua was constructed from salvaged hardwood trees that fell during a hurricane. Ecolodge expert, Hitesh Mehta, predicts that the next big thing will be using discarded shipping containers as lodging.

Damaraland Camp

Supporting the local economy is as easy as bringing in tourists, but ecolodges go a step further. Locals are employed by these lodges, provide food for guests, and lead activities for lodge guests. In Jordan at the Feynan Ecolodge local hosts teach how to make flatbread over an open fire.Guides and staff at Namibia's Damaraland Camp share stories and knowledge of the local area during under-the-stars dining.

Ecolodges most obviously work to create an environment that is good for...the environment. This can be as simple as planting a new tree for every couple visiting as they do in Resurgence located in New Zealand. Six Senses Con Dao in Vietnam only uses nontoxic biodegradable cleaning supplies and amenities. Back at the Turtle Inn breezes from the ocean replace air conditioners and stainless steal water bottles replace all plastic. Chumbe Island Coral Park in Zanzibar collects rainwater for daily water needs, the sun provides their energy, and composting toilets keep the local marine park clean.

Great Ocean Ecolodge

Many ecolodges are located on nature reserves, such as Chumbe Island Coral Park.Great Ocean Ecolodge of Australia is located on the grounds of the Conservation Ecology Centre where guests can actually help care for injured wildlife. Even if a nature reserve isn't the surroundings, ecolodges are committed to the welfare of local flora and fauna. Turtle Inn partners with SEA Belize and Rainforest Alliance for local marine conservation.

You can see that while posh resorts might be more focused on the comforts and amenities they can offer their guests, ecolodges are focused on the local community and environment as well as their guests. Activities at ecolodges tend to be more on the nature and cultural side, instead of afternoons at the spa and 5 star restaurants.

If you like the spas and restaurants and 5 stars (there's nothing wrong with that!) be sure to see what preservation programs your resort is taking part in. Many hotels now offer to only wash towels and linens when requested to cut down on water use. Others might make a point to use green cleaners.

Ecotraveling might not be for everyone - but I think we can all agree that the efforts to better our planet and preserve it for future travel is a great idea!

China...not as scary as I think.

There are millions of places on this planet that I would love to see and explore - but not China. At least that's what I've said in the past. And I don't even really know why, just that I've "heard" bad things about it. Now I can't even remember specifically what it is I heard. Maybe that they'll detain your for no reason, throw you in prison, and then forget that they put you there. Or that they don't like Americans. Whatever I heard, I doubt it was true.

Hard to get in, and never allowed to leave?

While you probably won't be detained to rot in prison for years upon years, you do need to be sure you have all documents in order before even stepping foot into an American airport. China has different requirements than most countries. In addition to needing a valid passport with at least six months of validity left, you need a visa. Not the credit card, although that could help eventually. To bail you out of jail. No, no, no. You need a valid visa both to enter and leave China. And you must have your passport and visa on your person at all times while in the country.

If you plan on leaving China (or even visiting certain areas within China - namely Hong Kong and Macau), and then returning you need a multiple entry visa. If traveling directly to Hong Kong or Macau for 90 days or less, and not traveling outside the cities, only a passport is required. Some areas such as the Tibet Autonomous Region and areas around the Nepal border require special permits, that may not even be granted. So you need to know exactly where you want to travel in China, if travel there is possible, and what documents you need.

Lastly upon arriving in China you have 24 hours to register with the police. If you're in China, they all want to know about it. Good news is, most hotels will register for you. Just make sure one way or another that the police know you are there.

English? Anyone?

English is not exactly China's forte. Although children are taught English in school, it doesn't seem to stick. More than other places throughout the world you probably want to make an effort to learn a few key phrases in Mandarin. It's also a good idea to carry a business card from your hotel or other places you want to visit so that you can show it to taxi drivers and the like if you get lost. Keep a phrase book with you, or download a phone app that can help you translate as well. The app, Taxi-Book, is just to help you tell a taxi driver where you want to go.

Signs in English are going to be a toss up. Populated areas in major cities will probably display some English, smaller towns might not. It's also a toss up at to whether a sign that is translated will make any sense. China is somewhat famous for their interesting signage translations.

There's no reason not to try English if you need to communicate though. Some people will appreciate the opportunity to practice their own English. Just be patient, and have other forms of communication ready just in case.

Were you raised in a barn?

Go ahead and Google search the terms Chinese and rude. Now take a step back and realize that that is one huge generalization. While it's certainly arguable as to whether or not the Chinese are rude, it really seems to come down to a culture thing. Shoving, spitting, peeing in the street, cutting in line, talking loudly...these things aren't rude in China - they're commonplace.

I always glare menacingly at that person in the restaurant booth beside me who's talking on a cell phone loudly enough for the deaf person down the street to hear. And lines are created for a reason. As were public restrooms. But that's here, and not there. There, it's a pushing match to see who gets to the front of a would-be line first (lines are a fairly new concept in China altogether) and when you gotta go, you gotta go. 'Thank you' also isn't a term commonly used. Chinese don't see a need to thank someone for doing their job, i.e. a waitress bringing food or a refill. But the thing is, the waitress wouldn't think it rude to not thank her.

The bottom line is - you might be appalled at some of the things you see or hear. But just because you find it rude or gross, doesn't mean anyone else around you is even going to give it a second glance.

Standing on formality.

The Chinese as a people very much stand on tradition, honor, and formality. Which can make it extremely easy for a tourist to offend someone. There are many things we do every day in America, that you should be careful to avoid in China.

Some basics - Never allow someone to pay the bill without first 'arguing' over it and offering to pay the entire thing yourself. Don't brag. If an offer you make is first refused, offer again. Don't accept a compliment graciously, you must be humble and modest to the point of denying a compliment. Don't show anger in public. Don't embarrass someone else publicly. And soooo many more. It'd be a good idea to peruse the internet for examples of all the faux pas holes you can stumble into in China.

Wow - all that being said I'm not sure how much of an advocate for China I really seem. But, I actually would like to travel there some day. If the above things scare you into not wanting to leave your back porch then consider Hong Kong. There aren't as many travel restrictions, English is more prevalent, and it's a more modern city than other areas. As for me, hopefully some day I'll take on the crowds and spitting and pushing and shoving and language barriers and visa requirements just to enjoy some time in China.

Travel Magazines. Who's the Audience?

When there are antlers and big mouth bass mounted on the walls, there's a Field and Stream on the coffee table. If you're sipping sweet tea in a sun room with the aroma of lilac and roses sweeping around you, check for the Better Homes and Garden on the wicker side table. Have a friend with five kids and a day care? Look for Parenting to be laying around somewhere...maybe under the teething ring and Cheerios.

Those are all certainly pretty broad generalizations, but there's a publication for every hobbyist. Including, of course, travelers. In reading over a well-known publication that I subscribe to, one thing kept entering my mind. Another pesky generalization that I was beginning to make about the writers and travelers of not only this publication, but others like it. I just kept thinking, 'These people sure seem pretentious." And I realized that is the reason that I don't often read travel magazines.

Magazines seem to be speaking to a certain type of traveler - and there are many different types to be sure. I feel as though to rate as a 'magazine traveler' you must be an architectural design major, a foodie, or an expert in the great arts of the world. That doesn't bode well for me. I know the difference between a door and a window, I don't even own salt, and my knowledge of art doesn't extend much beyond 'that guy who cut his ear off.'

So I'm already cut out of understanding or relating to a third of a travel magazine. Seriously. I skip large paragraphs because they contain words like 'compote' or 'fenestration.' Personally, I'd rather read about travel destinations and the different historical sites, fun excursions, or cultural experiences that a traveler should be looking for. But time and time again I get the travel magazine article blueprint (there's some architecture jargon for you) - flashy food place, hip art joint, and where the locals go.

It seems in order to be a magazine traveler, you should never, ever be a tourist. Forget about the well-known, ignore the quintessential. I say...no. If you're in New York City and you want to eat at Hard Rock in Times Square, then do it. If you're in Paris and you want to stand in line for hours with two hundred other people to get to the top of the Eiffel Tower, then do it. Tourist traps are not always bad things. I said it. Burn me at the stake. It isn't that I don't advocate digging for something deeper, and finding things off the beaten path - but is there really something so wrong with keeping on the worn path for a block or two and then veering off? Maybe more of an attitude of 'go where the tourists go and go where the locals go.'

There is no one right or wrong way to travel. There are those who like sit on the beach all day and never move, or sleep the day away so that they can experience the nightlife. Adventurers might look for the most outrageous, or dangerous outing possible and some just want to get cultural. Every one of those is a perfectly acceptable way to travel or vacation. But most travel publications speak to a small niche, which I do not feel I fall into.

Read most any of my blogs and they don't sound like a major publication article. There are many, many reasons for that and I don't need to delve into critiquing my writing, but I think it's mostly because I'm a laid back, accessible traveler. I don't have a lot of money to spend, I'm not trying to be hip, I just want to see the world and share my experiences. So honestly, I'm sort of hoping I never do write like a travel writer.

Are You Traveling Somewhere Safe?

Every now and then a horrible story will hit the news about a traveler who is beaten, kidnapped, killed (most recently in Brazil). This certainly decreases travel to those areas, as expected. Some places are just better left alone and not visited. And not all those places may be immediately obvious.

When planning a trip the first thing you should do is research to make sure your destination is safe for tourists. Check again right before you leave for the trip. It may be that certain areas should be avoided, or maybe just after dark. But following the advice of Foreign Affairs agencies should be a major priority for any traveler.

The following site is maintained by the Government of Canada...but hey, not safe for Canadians equals not safe for Americans. Each country shows the level of caution that should be taken, as well as if travel should be avoided all together. Clicking on a country will show international advisories and reasons caution should be employed.

http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories

A map of advisories is also available on the site.

United, US Air, or JetBlue?

In the past month and a half I've been on 10 airplanes. I realize for some people that's nothing (people like...pilots for instance), but for the average person that's a lot. Six of those planes took me to and home from Colorado, and those were all United Planes. Two of the planes took me to and home from New York, both JetBlue. And finally US Airways took me to New York again, with JetBlue taking me home. So how do these three airlines stack up against each other and which would I recommend hands down? Let's find out.

United is a perfectly fine airline. I had no problems per say - but they will nickle and dime you to death. Only  using dollar bills and fives. First of all there's a $25 for checked luggage, and that's your first bag. The second bag is $35 and increases with each consecutive bag. Not uncommon for airlines these days though.

Then you get on the plane and have the pleasant surprise that there's live Direct TV in the back of the seat in front of you. At least most likely, not all planes may have been upgraded to this yet. Either way, unless you're going to shell out another six bucks you aren't watching that tv. After about 30 minutes of teasing the tv shuts off unless you swipe a credit card. At least they provide you with free headphones to listen to your paid-for-movie or the free radio in your arm rest. The headphones are in the seat pockets if you're wondering. If you get an older plane, back when they gave you entertainment for free, you might be watching a pre-selected movie on the tvs that drop down from the ceiling. They apparently haven't figured out a way to charge per customer for that.

Now comes the beverage cart. You'll get your drink for free. But that's it. If you want something to eat you'll have to pay for that too. And nothing comes cheap.

I had several delays (including an hour on the tarmac) with United, but with bad weather being a factor I don't know how much was avoidable. My luggage did make it to Durango before I did, and while that's better than later, how come I couldn't be on the earlier plane? I also encountered my only rude stewardess on a United plane, for whatever that's worth.

Skytrax, a global program that measures airline quality through detailed audits, gives United a 3 Star rating. Click here to see their full ratings.

JetBlue starts off on the right, and cost-effective foot by offering customers their first checked bag at no cost. The money saving continues on the plane as you're served drinks and snacks for free. Snacks are varied, as are drinks (although they're missing the cran-apple drink that is my airline favorite). If I remember correctly drinks are pre-poured into a plastic cup and you don't get the entire can, but that seems like a small trade off. They also get drinks three or four at a time, which seems to go faster and there's no drink cart bashing in people's elbows. On the last flight one of the flight attendants was passing out water before everyone was even in their seat. How nice.

Entertainment? Sure, how about some more live Direct tv? How about not paying for it? Watch tv for free, or purchase a movie, you're choice. They'll get you $2 for the headphones though, which you can purchase at the gate or on board. Or simply bring your own for the tv or radio. JetBlue also has more leg room than the other airlines. They must just make longer planes.

In my experience: no delays, friendly staff (friendliest I encountered all together), and an extra $40 in my pocket when I landed. Skytrax gives JetBlue a 4 Star rating. Click here for more detail. A note that out of over 681 airlines only 35 are 4 Star and only 6 are 5 Star.

US Airways is not much different from United. A charge for luggage, a charge for a snack, and (at least on the plane I was in) no entertainment at all. The only perk you're gonna get here is a free drink.

I encountered another hateful employee who chastised me for my carry on luggage. I've been using the same bag for three or four years and never had a problem, but she told me not to use it again (everything short of wagging her finger in my face). Rude.

Skytrax awarded US Airways 3 Stars. Click here for details on their rating.

So who wins the battle of the airlines in my book?

JetBlue. Hands down.

Staying Occupied at the Airport

I was all set to write a little blog full of tips to keep you sane during a long layover at the airport. Since I'm going to be spending five hours in Denver International this Sunday, I thought some new ideas would be good for me too. But you know what's not really out there on the web...good ideas for ways to stay sane during a long layover.

All of the ideas seem so obvious. Read. Sleep. Work. Eat. Shop. Listen to music. Watch a movie. Talk to people. Basically, pack your smart phone, grab a snack, and sit around waiting for your next flight.

Not all that helpful for me...but maybe for a first time plane traveler. So despite what I deem obvious, here goes my airport to-do list.

1. Read. If you didn't bring a book visit a newsstand for a magazine, word puzzle, or novel.
2. Talk. On your phone or to people around you (ya know...if you're the friendly sort). If you're worried about your phone (or any electronic device) dying make sure you pack the charger in your carry on luggage.There are electrical outlets all around the gates that you can use.
3. Watch a movie or listen to music on your nifty pocket computer of choice.
4. Take a walk. If you're at an airport with moving floors you could ride those up and down and wonder at the weightless feeling you have while zooming past those walking on the boring, normal floor. If you're lucky enough to be at an airport with a tram, ride that back and forth and back and forth.
5. Write in a journal.
6. Catch up on work or surf the web. Your airport will almost certainly offer free wi-fi.
7. Sleep...if you can.
8. Shop. You can go online and see what shops your airport offers. You'll probably find everything from city souvenirs to Pandora jewelry and Coach. Bonus if you can find a duty free shop (where items are cheaper because the store is not charged a duty or tax and can keep prices lower). Duty free shops usually carry things like liquor, perfumes, candy, and jewelry and will be around international flight gates.
9. Eat. You can have a snack at your gate or a sit down meal. Check online for restaurant lists.
10. Leave. If your layover is long enough you can leave and visit the surrounding city. Just keep in mind you'll need enough time to get back to the airport and go through security again.

If you are going to have a long layover, research the airport online. Some airports have art galleries, nap or massage stations, or special VIP areas you may be interested in. But if you know beforehand, you won't have to waste time wandering around (unless that's what you want to do).

Layovers are just never going to be what I would call fun, but they can be made tolerable. If anyone has any unique ideas I'd love to hear them.

Some Good Travel Related Laughs

Because I needed a laugh today, and chances are some other people do too.

The following are supposedly stories from actual travel agents. I found them on the internet, so they could actually be the late night musings of a dog groomer. But they're still funny.

- I had someone ask for an aisle seat so that her hair wouldn't get mess up by being near the window.

- I got a call from a woman who wanted to go to Capetown. I started to explain the length of the flight and the passport information when she interrupted me with "I'm not trying to make you look stupid, but Capetown in is Massachusetts." Without trying to make her look like the stupid one I calmly explained, "Cape Cod is in Massachusetts, Capetown is in Africa. Her response...click.

- A man called furious about a Florida package we did. I asked what was wrong with the vacation in Orlando. He said he was expecting an ocean-view room. I tried to explain that is not possible, since Orlando is in the middle of the state. He replied, "Don't lie to me. I looked on the map and Florida is a very thin state."

- A nice lady just called. She need to know how it was possible that her flight from Detroit left at 8:20 am and got into Chicago at 8:33 am. I tried to explain that Michigan was an hour ahead of Illinois, but she could not understand the concept of time zones. Finally I told her the plane went very fast, and she bought that.

- A woman called and said, "I need to fly to Pepsi-Cola on one of those computer planes." I asked if she meant to fly to Pensacola on a commuter plane. She said, "Yeah, whatever."

- A businessman called and had a question about the documents he needed in order to fly to China. After a lengthy discussion about passports I reminded him he needed a visa. "Oh no I don't. I've been to China many times and never had to have one of those." I double checked and sure enough his stay required a visa. When I told him he said, "Look, I've been to China four times and every time they have accepted my American Express."

- A woman called to make reservations. "I want to go from Chicago to Hippopotamus, New York." The agent was at a loss for words. Finally the agent said, "Are you sure that's the name of the town?" "Yes, what flights do you have?" replied the customer. After some searching the agent came back with, "I'm sorry ma'am, I've looked up every airport code in the country and can't find a Hippopotamus anywhere." The customer retorted, "Oh don't be silly. Everyone knows where it is. Check your map!" The agent scoured a map of the state of New York and finally offered, "You don't mean Buffalo, do you?" "That's it! I knew it was a big animal."  (I also read this one as a woman asking to fly to Bison, New York)

And here are some fun quips from airline stewardesses and pilots.

Pilot - "Folks we have reached our cruising altitude now, so I'm going to switch the seat belt sign off. Feel free to move about as you wish, but please stay inside the plan til we land. It's a bit cold outside, and if you walk on the wings it affects the flight pattern."

While landing and coming to a stop - "Whoa big fella - WHOA"

Stewardess - "Should the cabin lose pressure oxygen masks will drop from the overhead area. Please place the bag over your own mouth and nose before assisting children or adults acting like children."

After a rough landing - "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Amarillo. Please remain in your seats with your seat belts fastened while the Captain taxis what's left of our plane to the gate."

Another rough landing - "We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal."

Stewardess - "Welcome aboard Southwest Flight ABC. To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle and pull tight. It works just like every other seatbelt, and if you don't know how to operate one, you probably shouldn't be out in public unsupervised. In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask and pull it over your face. If you have small children traveling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are traveling with two small children, decide now which one you love more. Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but they'll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and remember, nobody loves you or your money more than Southwest Airlines"

Well there you go, funny real life stories, or musing of a dog groomer. Hope it at least made you laugh.

Travel Crafts

We can't all spend all of our time traveling. There are other things...like work, bills, and well, those are the only two reasons for me. And a general lack of funds. But when I'm home, between trips, I like to keep my mind in travel with some DIY projects.

The project I most often find myself working on would be scrap-booking. I take a lot of photos when I travel, and for me if I'm going to print them and stick them in an album then I might as well not print them at all. But if I can print them and work on a scrap-book then I have something fun to fill my time, and something cool to show for it. Scrap-books are much more fun to share with family and friends than plain albums.
Tips: Hobby Lobby, AC Moore, and Michael's seem to be the best places to buy supplies. But only Hobby Lobby and AC Moore offer coupons online. On any given day you can print (or pull up on a smart phone) at least a 40% off coupon. Scrap-books also make a handy place to store brochures, tickets, and other little things you picked up on vacation.

I'd say I need to travel the West coast more

My second favorite project to date is my wall map. I got a large map of the united states, attached it to cork board, and framed the entire thing. I have push pins in all of the cities that I've visited. I also have smaller maps of the other countries I've visited with pins.
Tips: I got my map for free at the Cracker Barrel. The cork board works much better if it is first affixed to a board of the same size. My frame is made of ceiling molding. And I had my Daddy's help.

These are pretty much water proof as well

Just the other day I made myself a set of map coasters. These were extremely easy and only took about fifteen minutes. I already had coasters (which were actually coaster-sized tiles). I cut pieces of a map to fit the top of the coaster then coated the coaster top with mod podge and stuck the map piece to it. Then I covered the whole thing with another layer of mod podge.
Tip: I got old maps from a local upcycle store for a quarter each. I like to keep my own maps of places I've visited so I didn't want to use those. You could probably do the same project with a variety of other pieces - vacation photos, brochures, event tickets, etc. Also, I do realize my coasters are a bit bumpy and that's in part to the folds in the map, so maybe use a section that hasn't been folded.

Now I just have to figure out what to do with the buttons

I made buttons for the first time the other day too. Buttons that go on clothing, or a bag. But you could also make pins. I used a map to cover the buttons as well.
Tip: You can buy button or pin making kits at craft stores. They were very easy to make with the kit.






While I was on a roll with my maps, I made a map box to hold my maps. And I covered the box using...yes, maps! An old map and mod podge.
Tips: I don't really have any. It's so simple. Get creative with other things you can use to cover the box.

Another ongoing craft I have constantly going (well, at least after every trip) is my travel journal. Now for me this isn't a diary of how my vacation went, but a journal to keep my notes from my vacation planning. I take extensive notes when I'm about to travel somewhere, and I decided to keep them in a fun little book. The notes are actually kind of funny to look over a couple years after the vacation.
Tips: Get a composition notebook for less than a dollar and then cover it with fabric, wrapping paper, scrap-book paper....or a map!

Notes from my trip to D.C.

Also, check out this awesome puzzle I took a few weeks to put together!

There are thousands of travel related crafts on the internet, especially on Pinterest. Here are some of the other projects I really want to try.

I really like the different types and colors of maps used here.

The hearts are placed where you lived, or a loved one lives, or where you're from.

Look, my favorite...maps!

Airlines and the No Show Policy

Ever heard of a No Show Policy? Neither had I until about an hour ago. But it's important that travelers know what the policy is, and what it means before they learn it the hard way.

Basically, the No Show Policy means that if you do not board the plane for any leg of a trip, the remaining flights in your name will be cancelled. (That means your return flight too!) So here's what you cannot do, and what will happen if you try.

Round Trip Tickets - Imagine you have a ticket from Charlotte, NC to Durango, CO with a five hour lay over in Denver. It takes just as long to drive to Durango as it does to sit in the airport waiting for the next flight. So, renting a car in Denver and driving to Durango and enjoying the scenery seems like a great idea, doesn't it? Wrong! The moment that plane leaves Denver without you on it, your return flight home from Durango to Charlotte is cancelled.

Possible solution 1: Get the car, skip the last leg, let them cancel your return flight and book a new, one-way ticket home. $$$

Possible solution 2: Call the airline and have your tickets switched up. Yes, they will make Denver your final destination and then you can drive to Durango and you'll still have your return flight in order. But you're most likely talking a couple hundred dollars, per traveler, to make these changes. $$$

Possible solution 3: Suck it up, you won't be seeing Denver or the surrounding scenery. Durango will just have to do. Zero $$$.

Yes, this all just happened to me. Yes, I'll be going with solution 3.

So what about one-way tickets. Well, as long as it's the last leg of your trip that you're skipping on, you should be ok. As long as all of your luggage is carry on.

The best thing you can do if you encounter this situation is to contact your airline and see what they can work out for you. It will probably cost you money, but I'm sure in some cases that is worth it. Just remember that if you skip a leg of your outbound flight, you won't be getting home without purchasing brand new tickets.

Check some no show policies for individual airlines below:
Virgin America - "If you fail to check in, Virgin America will cancel that flight reservation and all subsequent segments for continuing or return flights."
United Airlines - "Inventory spoilage caused by the failure to issue tickets and/or cancel ticketed or un‐
ticketed reservations." Whatever that means. Simply, no show = big no, no.
JetBlue - "If a customer does not cancel their flight prior to scheduled departure time resulting in a no-show, the tickets fare is forfeited.

Also visit Jason Clegg's blog for more information about particular airlines' no show policies.

Random/Fun Facts About NYC

Well, I've gotten you prepared to get around New York City, and I've given you some things to see and do, now I'm going to just get random on you.

One thing that's not so random and you might need to know is that NYC is made up of 5 boroughs: Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. And following are some fun borough facts:

• Manhattan is the most densely populated and it would be the one with Times Square, Central Park, The Empire State Building, etc (for those just tuning in to my blog). Manhattan is also the only borough without a Main Steet.
• The Bronx is the only borough that is actually part of the US mainland and houses Co-op City, the largest cooperatively owned housing complex in the US as well as Yankee Stadium and The Bronx Zoo
• Brooklyn is the most populated borough (Manhattan has more people in a smaller area though) and is the home of Coney Island.
• Queens is the largest borough and includes Citi Field (where the Mets play) and LaGuardia and JFK airports.
• Staten Island is an island (duh) that connects with Brooklyn and Manhattan. The island is covered in 28 miles of walking parks and contains one of the largest undisturbed forests of NYC.

There are over 20,000 restaurants in NYC - most of them being in Manhattan.

• 100 million chinese food cartons are used annually in the city.
• There are around 4,000 street food vendors. 
• The first American Pizzeria was opened by Gennaro Lombardi in NYC in 1895.

There are 6,374 miles of street in NYC. 

• An average of 4.9 million people ride the subway each day.
• There is 722 miles of subway track, with 468 stations and 6,200 subway cars.
• New York's Yellow Cabs have yellow taxis because founder John Hertz heard yellow was the easiest color for the eye to spot.
• Musicians performing in the subway system have to go through an audition process.

NYC was the nation's capital briefly in the 1780s. 

Wall Street was the city limit when the Dutch ruled the area and there was an actual wall standing there.

There are only four theaters that literally sit on Broadway - The Marquis, The Palace, The Winter Garden, and The Broadway.

• A Broadway Theater must have at least 500 seats, while an off Broadway theater can have less. 
• Most theaters skip the row I, so it doesn't get confused with the number 1. 
• Phantom of the Opera is the longest running show (over 9,100 performances) followed by Cats (1982-2000 with 7,485 performances).

The nickname "The Big Apple" has many origin stories. Two popular stories are that it was either coined by Jazz players who said playing in NYC was like hitting it big (The Big Apple was a night club). Or by horse racers, also referring to the fact that they were hitting it big by racing in NYC and called it The Big Apple in reference to the biggest possible prize a horse racer could earn. Apple...horse...get it?

There you go. You're all set to get out and see one of America's grandest cities!

Can't Trust Online Hotel Photos

You know how everyone is up in arms about make-up companies photoshopping their ads? I mean, I get it. They're trying to sell a make up so you can get a look that was achieved by a computer. Photoshopping is rampant in media advertising, and hotels aren't innocent either.

The following photos were taken from hotel websites and then compared with pictures taken at the same location by professional reviewers on Oyster, a hotel review site. You can see through the differences that website photos have been photoshopped, skewed by angles, cropped, and maybe some photos aren't even actually from the alleged hotel. Take a peek.

Mandarin Oriental, Miami Website (not currently on site)

Mandarin Oriental courtesy of Oyster - Talk about working some serious camera angles.

Hotel La Mariposa, Costa Rica Website (currently on site)

La Mariposa courtesy of Oyster - Wow, weird...where did those walls come from??

L'Enfant Plaza Hotel, Washington DC Website (currently on site)

L'Enfant courtesy of Oyster  - Dull with no view of the Washington Monument

Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas Website (currently on site)

Mandalay courtesy of Oyster - Crowded much?! How did they clear out all those people...oh, photoshop.

The London West Hollywood, LA Website (not currently on site)

The London courtesy of Oyster - Looks like someone added some stuff for a photo shoot.

Check here for more pictures from Oyster of hotels that don't live up to the hype.

Christmas in Holland - Prettige Kersfeest!

Christmas traditions in Holland have been in the spotlight and under scrutiny this year, and in years past, but I'll get to that later. Let's start with the happy stuff! Families in Holland celebrate what they call St. Nicholas' Day on December 6th, with celebrations on St. Nicholas Eve.

On St. Nicholas Eve a meal is shared and for dessert there might be a letterbanket, or a letter cake. This is a cake made in the shape of the first letter of the family's last name. In some instances everyone might receive a small personal cake in the shape of their first initial. Gifts are also shared on St. Nicholas Eve. Gifts are meant to be surprises, the giver not necessarily known. They are signed Sinterklaas (Santa) and are accompanied by a poem or verse that the giver has written. Gifts might also be hidden around the house with clues about their locations, or hidden within another object. The whole idea is mystery and surprise. That night children leave out shoes filled with hay and carrots for Sinterklaas' horse, and hope that they will have toys in their shoes in the morning.

Sinterklaas is a bishop who arrives in Holland by boat, and is greeted by many when he arrives in the harbor of Amsterdam. He comes on his white horse and with his helper, Zwarte Piet. The mayor meets him and leads a procession through town. Both Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet live in Spain, and Piet spends the year keeping a list of things children have done in the past year, be it good or bad. Good children receive presents, bad children might be chased by Piet with a stick. Old songs even warn that bad children will be put in a sack and taken back to Spain.

On December 26th the Dutch celebrate Second Christmas Day, which is spent eating out at a restaurant and maybe seeing a Christmas musical or concert. Some children leave out stockings on Christmas Eve, but most only receive gifts on St. Nicholas Eve.

The reason for the recent upset over Holland's Christmas traditions is Zwarte Piet himself, as his name translates to Black Pete. Many are outraged over what they perceive as blatant racism dating back to Holland's days as participants in the slave trade. Piet was originally portrayed as a jester for the amusement of children, and today is still cartoonish with a black painted face, an afro and bright red lipstick. Attempts have been made to change the tradition, even changing the color of Pete's face from black to another color such as green or rainbow colored. But overall, the Dutch have stuck to their old ways.

Christmas in Finland - Hyvaa Joulua!

The Christmas season in Finland starts on the first Sunday of December, also known as the First Advent. This is when decorating begins, houses are cleaned, and Christmas trees are set up (usually a fir tree).

A doll dressed for St. Lucy's Day

December 13th is Saint Lucy's day and is celebrated to honor Saint Lucy, a Christian martyr who is the patron saint of the blind. In traditional celebrations Saint Lucy is portrayed by a young girl with a crown of lights or carrying a candle.

Most holiday celebration occurs on Christmas Eve. The day may consist of a visit to the cemetery to remember loved ones who have passed, leaving candles on their graves. Lunch this day is rice pudding or porridge and the meal time might be spent listening to the Declaration of Peace on the tv or radio. Families also traditionally visit the a sauna on this day before partaking of their Christmas dinner later that evening. Farm animals and birds might also be given a special treat when farmers hang wheat or nuts and suet from a tree.

What's very special is that many believe Santa Claus lives in Finland, on the mountain of Korvatunturi in the town of Savukoski. This is in the northern area of Finland known as Lapland. On Christmas Eve each child receives a personal visit from Santa Claus, or Joulupukki, since Finland is his first stop of the night. He knocks on the front door and when welcomed in asks if the children have been good. After presents are handed out Santa leaves to deliver gifts to the rest of the world.

Hyvaa Joulua everyone!

The Declaration of Peace

Tomorrow, God willing, is the graceful celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior; and thus is declared a peaceful Christmas time to all, by advising devotion and to behave otherwise quietly and peacefully, because he who breaks this peace and violates the peace of Christmas by any illegal or improper behavior shall under aggravating circumstances be guilty and punished according to what the law and statutes prescribe for each and every offence separately.

Finally, a joyous Christmas feast is wished to all inhabitants of the city.

PS - I'm not sure how peaceful that Declaration of Peace really sounds...

Christmas in India - Shub Naya Baras!

Christmas may only be celebrated by a small percentage of the Indian population, but it is celebrated. Only around 2.3% of the population in India are Christians, but that does equal out to about 25 million people. Similar to the US you will find Christmas trees in India, common Christmas decorations, nativity scenes and some closed schools and businesses. Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of December.

Midnight mass on Christmas Eve is a wide spread tradition that is very important to Catholic Indians.Father Christmas, Christmas Baba in Hindi, visits children who have been good throughout the year and delivers presents by horse and cart. A decoration specific to India are paper lanterns in the shape of stars. These are hung between houses so they float over the sidewalks below.

Star Lanterns

Looking into specific regions of India, you can find some unique traditions. In some areas it is more common to find a decorated banana or mango tree instead of a pine. Banana and mango leaves might also be used to decorate the home. In southern parts of India families place clay oil lamps on their flat roofs to symbolize the light of Jesus. The Bhil of the northern regions celebrate by going out and singing carols each night for the week leading up to Christmas.

So happy Indian Christmas - in several languages below!

Hindi - Bade Din ki Mubarak
Sanskrit - Krismasasya shubhkaamnaa
Bengali - Barodiner shubhechha janai
Tamil - Christhu Jayanthi Nalvaalthukal